search

search

v. 1) to examine another's premises (including a vehicle) to look for evidence of criminal activity. It is unconstitutional under the 4th and 14th Amendments for law enforcement officers to conduct a search without a "search warrant" issued by a judge or without facts which give the officer "probable cause" to believe evidence of a specific crime is on the premises and there is not enough time to obtain a search warrant. 2) to trace the records of ownership of real property in what is commonly called a "title search." (See: search and seizure, search warrant, probable cause, abstract, chain of title)

search

examination of records or registers, especially by or on behalf of purchasers, to ascertain the existence of encumbrances. Whether title to land is or is not subject to the Land Registration Acts, a purchaser should search the Local Land Charges Register maintained by the local authority for details of public local charges and burdens. Where title is subject to the Land Registration Acts, a search should be made of the land registry to discover the existence of charges, restrictive covenants, etc, affecting the land. Where the title is not subject to the Land Registration Acts, searches should be made in the General Register of Land Charges in connection with these matters. In Scottish conveyancing practice there must be searches showing no advance encumbrances in the appropriate registers - the Property Register for cases where the land is registered, the Register of Sasines and the Register of Inhibitions and Adjudications where the land is held feudally.

SEARCH, crim. law. An examination of a man's house, premises or person, for
the purpose of discovering proof of his guilt in relation to some crime or
misdemeanor of which be is accused.
2. The constitution of the United. States, amendments, art. 4, protects
the people from unreasonable searches and seizures. 3 Story, Const. Sec.
1895; Rawle, Const. ch. 10, p. 127; 10 John. R. 263; 11 John. R. 500; 3
Cranch, 447.
3. By the act of March 2, 1799, s. 68, 1 Story's L. U. S. 632, it is
enacted, that every collector, naval officer, and surveyor, or other person
specially appointed, by either of them, for that purpose, shall have fall
power and authority to enter any ship or vessel, in which they shall have
reason to suspect any goods, wares, or merchandise, subject to duty, are
concealed, and therein to search for, seize, and secure any such goods,
wares, or merchandise; and if they shall have cause to suspect a concealment
thereof in any particular dwelling house, store, building, or other place
they or either of them shall; upon proper application, on oath, to any
justice of the peace, be entitled to a warrant to enter such house, store,
or other place, (in the day time only, and there to search for such goods;
and if any shall be found, to seize and secure the same for trial; and all
such goods, wares, and merchandise, on which the duties shall not have been
paid, or secured to be paid, shall be forfeited.

SEARCH, practice. An examination made in the proper lien office for
mortgages, liens, judgments, or other encumbrances, against real estate. The
certificate given by the officer as to the result of such examination is
also called a search.
2. Conveyancers and others who cause searches to be made ought to be
very careful that they should be correct, with regard, 1. To the time during
which the person against whom the search has been made owned the premises.
2. To the property searched against, which ought to be properly described.
3. To the form of the certificate of search.

SEARCH, RIGHT OF, mar. law. The right existing in a belligerent to examine
and inspect the papers of a neutral vessel at sea. On the continent of
Europe, this is called the right of visit. Dalloz, Dict. mots Prises
Maritimes, n. 104-111.
2. The right does not extend to examine the cargo; nor does it extend
to a ship of war, it being strictly confined to the searching of merchant
vessels. The exercise of the right is to prevent the commerce of contraband
goods. Although frequently resisted by powerful neutral nations, yet this
right appears now to be fixed beyond contravention. The penalty for
violently resisting this right is the confiscation of the property so
withheld from visitation. Unless in extreme cases of gross abuse of his
right by a belligerent, the neutral has no right to resist a search. 1 Kent,
Com. 154; 2 Bro. Civ. and Adm. Law, 319; Mann. Comm. B. 3, c. 11.

All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.